Healthcare Transformation Starts Here

Our residency program for founders exploring their next thing and for founders already building it.

TERRARIUM
TERRARIUM
TERRARIUM
terrarium
Healthcare is hard. We help founders succeed
terrarium
Healthcare is hard. We help founders succeed
terrarium
Healthcare is hard. We help founders succeed
terrarium
Healthcare is hard. We help founders succeed
terrarium
Healthcare is hard. We help founders succeed
terrarium
Healthcare is hard. We help founders succeed
terrarium
Healthcare is hard. We help founders succeed
terrarium
Healthcare is hard. We help founders succeed
terrarium
Healthcare is hard. We help founders succeed
terrarium
Healthcare is hard. We help founders succeed
terrarium
Healthcare is hard. We help founders succeed
terrarium
Healthcare is hard. We help founders succeed
Terrarium

program details

For founders looking to leverage our embedded incubation studio, Terrarium, to build transformational healthcare companies.

Structure

4 months

Full-time program
NYC-based

community

$10,000

A month stipend

SUPPORT

$2M safe

Pre-seed investment to give enough runway to reach your seed round

Access

Founding teams own majority

Of the common equity at pre seed, one of the most founder-friendly structures across studios.

Our Approach

Benefits Of building with us

We engage with entrepreneurs at every stage whether you’re exploring, building, or raising.

01Speed

Most founders spend 12-18 months validating, recruiting, and fundraising before writing a line of code. We compress that process into 4 focused months.

02Enterprise Network

Founding teams keep majority of the cap table at the time of company formation. $2.3M at a $10.3M post-money Y Combinator SAFE. Clear economics. No surprises.

03Co-Founder Matching

Our inhouse talent platform is designed to help you find the right co-founders for your business with complimentary skillsets.

our approach

People working on laptops at tables with blue chairs and brown bench in a modern indoor space.

We incubate 1-3 companies per year.

People working and conversing in a bright, modern office lounge with plants and large windows.

Structured Research

People sitting and conversing in a cozy indoor lounge with pink chairs and numerous potted plants.

PMF Validation

Frequently asked questions

Why join Terrarium instead of building solo?

Going solo is generally a 12–18 month journey of ideating, validating, recruiting cofounders, and raising capital. There is no guarantee that you will gain conviction in an idea, validate a business model, find design partners, or raise venture funding. The Terrarium EIR program condenses this timeline to 4 months and connects you with ideation and research partners, healthcare enterprise decision makers, and out-of-the-gate venture funding.

What is the EIR program?

A 4-month, full-time program where prospective founders leverage Terrarium’s expertise and infrastructure to explore several pressing healthcare problems, ideate tech enabled solutions, and pressure test them with healthcare enterprise customers. Ideally, you will end the program with a novel and validated concept, a committed design partner, exceptional cofounders, and $2M in the bank.

Do I need an idea before I apply?

No. We love when EIRs bring ideas, but it is not required. Ideation is part of the journey and we co-develop and test a thesis with you. Terrarium also maintains a tracker of 30+ new company ideas that are in various states of validation. EIRs have access to the list and can work on ideas where they have interest, expertise, or passion.

How does validation and funding work?

We back very few concepts each year so we can dig deep.Together we answer the hardest market questions: How big is the opportunity? Can technology scale a solution? Are there willing buyers? If the answer is yes, Terrarium forms a new company, the EIR joins as founder, and we fund with ~$2 million from our dedicated fund. The capital gives you time (~24 months) to reach PMF and build traction before your next raise.

How much ownership do founders keep?

Majority of equity after the pre-seed investment. We share the full cap table prior to founders joining. No fine print.

Will Terrarium help me find a co-founder?

Yes. We actively recruit complementary talent and make a match only when there is clear alignment on skills, values, and commitment.

When will I meet potential customers?

Throughout the program you pressure-test ideas directly with our network of more than  50+ enterprise partners across health systems, payers, and pharma. Many founders secure a pilot customer ready to start on day 1 of the new company.

What resources are available day to day?

Terrarium has built a platform dedicated to optimizing the -1 to 0 phase of company formation. From day one, you will work hand in hand with our team and leverage Terrarium’s network of healthcare enterprises, proprietary company research, and data driven talent platform.

How many companies does Terrarium launch each year?

We intentionally launch only 2–3 companies a year, so every founder gets hands-on support from a team that is fully invested in the outcome.

What happens after the program?

We set up legal, finance, and tech infrastructure, provide NYC office space, drive go-to-market introductions, and make white glove introductions to leading venture funds in our network when you are ready to raise the next round.

How many founders are accepted each year?

6-8 founders a year. Keeping the cohort small is how we ensure every founder gets real, hand-on attention.

What is Terrarium’s Relationship with Company Ventures?

Terrarium is Company Venture’s Healthcare focused Venture Studio.